M10 Booker unveiled, the first American light tank in nearly 40 years

The US Department of Defence has finally officially revealed the name of the first light tank in almost 40 years. The combat vehicle was previously known as the Mobile Protected Fire Power (MPFV).

Here's What We Know

The presentation ceremony of the tank took place on June 9, 2023, the US Army's birthday. The fighting vehicle was named M10 Booker after two members of the US Army.

It is about Private Robert Booker and Staff Sergeant Stevon Booker. The former died in Tunisia in 1943 and the latter in 2003 during the war in Iraq. The designation also echoes that of the World War II-era Gun Motor Carriage M10 anti-tank artillery vehicle.

The M10 Booker was the second combat vehicle after the Stryker to be named after two militaries at once. In addition, for the first time, the USA has named a military vehicle after a soldier who died in a terrorist attack on September 9, 2021.

The M10 Booker is intended to fill the firepower gap between the M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle and the M1 Abrams main battle tank. By the way, it is formally classified as an infantry support vehicle.

The manufacturer of the M10 Booker is General Dynamics Land Systems. It was awarded a $1.1 billion contract to produce 96 light tanks. Deliveries will begin later this year. The program will involve production of 504 vehicles worth approximately $6 bln. The cost per light tank is nearly $13 mln.

The M10 Booker is equipped with a 105mm XM35 cannon and a coaxial machine gun. The new fire support vehicle will remain in the US Army's service for at least 30 years.

Source: Defense One, Breaking Defense